Jobs › PEAK6

Trading Associate - 2027

PEAK6 · Chicago, IL · $100,000–$125,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 11, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you made a decision with incomplete information and had to live with the result.

What they are checking: Whether they can act under uncertainty and reflect honestly on outcomes rather than just results.

The program requires passing the Series 57 within two months. How would you prepare while learning everything else?

What they are checking: Whether they plan their study time realistically and take the licensing deadline seriously.

Tell me about a time you took ownership of a project nobody assigned to you.

What they are checking: Whether they will take the lead on projects, which the training phases build in.

Are you more interested in automated or discretionary trading, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought about their own interests and can explain them clearly.

What market or trade has caught your attention recently, and what's your view?

What they are checking: Whether they follow markets on their own and can form and defend an opinion.

What would you do

You're down money on a position and your gut says to hold on. How do you decide what to do?

What they are checking: Whether they follow risk discipline over emotion, which a firm trading its own capital depends on.

You make an error that costs the desk money. What do you do in the first five minutes?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up immediately, which limits losses and builds trust on a trading desk.

About the work

Explain what an option's delta tells you and how a trader might use it.

What they are checking: Whether they grasp basic option sensitivity, which is the foundation of the options training program.

I'll offer you a game: flip a fair coin, and I pay you $2 for heads and you pay me $1 for tails. How much would you pay to play, and how would you size it?

What they are checking: Whether they think in expected value and also consider risk and position size, not just the average.

What happens to the price of a call option when volatility goes up, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they understand why volatility drives option value, which is central to market making.

Quick math: what is 17 times 23, and what is 3/8 as a percentage?

What they are checking: Whether they can do mental math quickly and accurately, which traders rely on during fast markets.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by PEAK6.

WHO WE ARE PEAK6 Capital Management is a proprietary options trading firm that has been defining the industry for more than 25 years. While many firms have come and gone, PEAK6 Capital Management has consistently delivered liquidity to the options market. We thrive due to our firm’s special blend of financial acumen, ability to manage risk, and cutting-edge technology. Our success is driven by our team of technologists, engineers, and traders who leverage proprietary tech and a data-centric approach to maintain inventory and stay ahead of the markets, so customers can, too. ABOUT THIS ROLE Our training program consists of 4 phases: basic training, basic trading, long-term rotations, and managing individual portfolios. Throughout each of these phases, we layer on multiple opportunities for you to take the lead on projects with your own unique ownership and responsibility. We believe in holistic training, and include a serious focus on personal development to supplement our core options training. Trading Associates are encouraged to explore their own interests in both automated and discretionary trading, allowing them to take ownership over their career path. Basic Training • Pass the Series 57 licensing exam within two months of your hire date and immediately start trading with firm capital • Learn market mechanics and option theory through classroom sessions and group discussions Basic Trading • Trade in a group environment, practicing both the art and science of trading • Master the use of all of PEAK6’s proprietary tools and technology Long-term Rotations • Communicate, learn from, and articulate your ideas and strategies to senior trading partners • Develop new, cutting-edge tools in collaboration with trading teams Individual Portfolios • Manage a portfolio and its risks • Test and analyze your own trading strategies in the market YOUR EXPERIENCE • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree graduating between December 2026 and June 2027 • Availability for an August 2027 start date • Ability to relocate to Austin, Chicago, or New York City • Interest in and curiosity about financial markets • Excellent quantitative and problem-solving skills • Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in teams • Alignment with our core values: collaboration, grit, ownership, and adaptability • Ready to learn and apply coding techniques OUR REWARDS We offer a robust package of employee perks and benefits, including healthcare benefits (medical, dental and vision, EAP), competitive PTO, 401k match, parental leave, and HSA contribution match. We also provide our employees with a paid subscription to the Calm app and offer generous external learning and tuition reimbursement benefits. As a hybrid workforce, we offer our employees the ability to work remotely up to two days a week. Base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and office location. This position also may be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus in addition to a range of health & wellness benefits, enhancing your overall compensation package. Base Salary Range $100,000-$125,000 PEAK6 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Our hiring practices ensure that all qualified applicants receive fair consideration without regard to these characteristics. PEAK6 is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace for all candidates, including those with disabilities. We are dedicated to ensuring equal employment opportunities and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please contact our HR department at hr@peak6.com. We will work with you to provide the necessary accommodations to ensure your full participation in our hiring process. #PEAK6

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